DT and Timeltel,
Given the nature of how the tracking angle changes over the course of the record (for any arm), I would expect the skating force to fall on its way inward and then start to rise again as it moves past the peak tracking distortion area between the null points. The changes in friction coefficient (which will, of course, depend on stylus shape) would affect this, as would any changes in VTF as the cart/arm track the record. Different AS methods should actually affect the VTF 'curve' (as a function of groove radius), as should the fact that the VTA/SRA angle will actually start to get steeper on the way back in. Kind of interesting to think about...
I am assuming that one's choice of alignment (or perhaps more particularly, the location on the record of the peak tracking error between the null points) will have some effect on how much skating force ceases to tail off in the last part of the record...
I've just given myself more stuff to muddle through, obviously...
Given the nature of how the tracking angle changes over the course of the record (for any arm), I would expect the skating force to fall on its way inward and then start to rise again as it moves past the peak tracking distortion area between the null points. The changes in friction coefficient (which will, of course, depend on stylus shape) would affect this, as would any changes in VTF as the cart/arm track the record. Different AS methods should actually affect the VTF 'curve' (as a function of groove radius), as should the fact that the VTA/SRA angle will actually start to get steeper on the way back in. Kind of interesting to think about...
I am assuming that one's choice of alignment (or perhaps more particularly, the location on the record of the peak tracking error between the null points) will have some effect on how much skating force ceases to tail off in the last part of the record...
I've just given myself more stuff to muddle through, obviously...